Old Town Ferry- Part Deux

I am so glad that my original blog on this topic has generated such great discussion/debate. That was my intent. We do not have to sit back and take all the decisions being made for us by the "powers that be".

#1: The ferry system is a valid idea.

#2: The Calhoun Street public dock is NOT the appropriate place for a ferry embarkation/debarkation site for the following reasons:

a) Lack of parking;
b) The current zoning South of Bridge Street is single family residential with the exceptions of churches of course. The only commercial exception allowed at this time is the Bluffton Oyster Company.
c) There are no public facilities accessible on Calhoun Street.

Therefore, the most appropriate place in the Old Town of Bluffton is the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park. There is already acceptable parking and facilities. The new dock has been proposed and is “in the works”. If the Town’s Planning staff would plan accordingly and with forethought they will wait to begin the ferry system until the appropriate facilities are available. It is time we hold our elected officials and salaried Town employees accountable to our (the taxpaying residents) needs.

Again, I appreciate the responses from everyone. This is democracy at its best. Let’s hope we can make a difference and that our voices are heard loud and clear.

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I am throughly enjoying your viewpoint and input. Regarding your comment about the marketing of our area.....brace yourself.....check out the spread about Bluffton in this month's Cottage Living magazine. Prepare to be inundated by tourists. I guess I better invest in some decent yardworking clothes. Maybe while I am at it I'll have some maps printed to hand out to all the tourists that stop me in my yard and ask for directions to Hilton Head. Maybe just for "S*#@s and Grins" I'll print the maps out so that they end up in Myrtle Beach!!! (Now I'LL be quartered too!)

This is a GREAT discussion, and one that really needs to be had (even though it's a bit late since someone has already decided for us that a ferry -- however temporary -- is a good idea), but I disagree with you regarding letting the ferry use the oyster factory....

the public landing that is designated for the oyster factor is for the launching of recreational boats...and besides, unless someone was willing to explain to the tourists that they need to jump from the shell pile to the boat deck, it wouldn't work, since there is no dock there...

but regardless, I do not think that a public boat landing ought to be used for a commercial venture. by allowing such things, you will eliminate the parking needed for boaters and their trailers. I don't know if you've been by the factory on a warm weekend when the fish are biting (though judging by your comments you are an OSM resident, and thus, probably have)...but parking at the factory is limited, at best, for trucks and trailers....can you imagine the result when you add a few dozen cars on top of that....it gets messy as it is when you get a few people parking all over just to run in to Larry's to get a quart of oysters.

the bottom line is, I don't think ANY public space should be dedicated to the use of ANY commercial venture. and, as it is, since there doesn't seem to be any real benefit to the OSM for this ferry idea, I don't think any of our already limited and premium free space should be dedicated for servicing this project, either.

again, lest I be labeled a snub-nose, I am all about tourists coming to town and leaving their money with us, but so far it seems we do a whole bunch of giving and extremely little receiving.

you are obviously as passionate about this issue as am I. Please note that I stated that the Oyster Factory is the most "appropriate" site for a ferry. It is designated a public park and offers restroom facilities and parking. The Calhoun Street public dock does not. Again, I am okay with the ferry idea but not until adequate facilites are in place. I am aware that there is not a public dock at the Factory. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think plans are already underway for a substantial dock at the Oyster Factory. I sugggest that the Town not start or consider ferry services (temporary or otherwise) until the adequate facilities are in place.

Furthermore, why do we not have a "Town of Bluffton" pass for our public waterway access points? HHI offers this for its property owners. Visitors have to pay a very nominal fee to use public beach access areas. They can park, use the restrooms, showers and beach services. We could do the same here. And trust me, a few bucks to park at the public beach access a few times a year is much cheaper than what HHI residents pay in property taxes. Same goes for us. When will we (they) protect our interests and quit worrying about the tourists? They are gonna come anyway. We don't have to make it too easy for them yet too burdensome for the taxpaying residents that live here 24/7/365.

OSM!

PS: I love the OSM bumpersticker. You should do that yourself instead of giving the idea to some "foreigner" that will capitalize on your idea. Hey, if you do it....make it avaiable only to OSM residents. Just make sure the sticker is not yellow so we aren't mistaken for our western neighbors!! (I'll be drawn and quartered now fer sho').